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“‘Oh, to be sure, yes! In copper plate capitals.’

“‘What’s in copper-plate capitals?’ inquired Time.

“‘Your name, under the print.’

“‘Very likely,’ said Time.

“Melchior felt more and more uneasy. ‘You must be very cold,’ he said. ‘Perhaps you would feel warmer if you went back into the picture.’

“‘Not at all.’ said Time; ‘I have come on purpose to see you.’

“‘I have not the pleasure of knowing you,’ said Melchior, trying to keep his teeth from chattering.

“‘There are not many people who have a personal acquaintance with me,’ said his visitor. ‘You have an advantage,–I am your godfather.’

“‘Indeed,’ said Melchior; ‘I never heard of it.’

“‘Yes,’ said his visitor; ‘and you will find it a great advantage.’

“‘Would you like to put on my coat?’ said Melchior, trying to be civil.

“‘No, thank you,’ was the answer. ‘You will want it yourself. We must be driving soon.’

“‘Driving!’ said Melchior.

“‘Yes,’ was the answer: ‘all the world is driving; and you must drive; and here come your brothers and sisters.’

“Melchior sat up; and there they were, sure enough, all dressed, and climbing one after the other on to the bed–his bed!

“There was that little minx of a sister with her curls. There was that clever brother, with his untidy hair and bent shoulders, who was just as bad the other way, and was forever moping and reading. There was that little Hop-o’-my-thumb, as lively as any of them, a young monkey, the worst of all; who was always in mischief, and consorting with the low boys in the village. There was the second brother, who was Melchior’s chief companion, and against whom he had no particular quarrel. And there was the little pale lame sister, whom he dearly loved; but whom, odd to say, he never tried to improve at all. There were others who were all tiresome in their respective ways; and one after the other they climbed up.

“‘What are you doing, getting on to my bed?’ inquired the indignant brother, as soon as he could speak.

“‘Don’t you know the difference between a bed and a coach, godson?’ said Time, sharply.

“Melchior was about to retort, but, on looking round, he saw that they were really in a large sort of coach with very wide windows. ‘I thought I was in bed,’ he muttered. ‘What can I have been dreaming of?’

“‘What, indeed!’ said the godfather. ‘But be quick, and sit close, for you have all to get in; you are all brothers and sisters.’

“‘Must families be together?’ inquired Melchior, dolefully.

“‘Yes, at first,’ was the answer; ‘they get separated in time. In fact, every one has to cease driving sooner or later. I drop them on the road at different stages, according to my orders,’ and he showed a bundle of papers in his hands; ‘but as I favor you, I will tell you in confidence that I have to drop all your brothers and sisters before you. There, you four oldest sit on this side, you five others there, and the little one must stand or be nursed.’

“‘Ugh!’ said Melchior, ‘the coach would be well enough if one was alone; but what a squeeze with all these brats! I say, go pretty quick, will you?’

“‘I will,’ said Time, ‘if you wish it. But beware that you cannot change your mind. If I go quicker for your sake, I shall never go slow again; if slower, I shall not again go quick; and I only favor you so far, because you are my godson. Here, take the check-string; when you want me, pull it, and speak through the tube. Now we’re off.’

“Whereupon the old man mounted the box, and took the reins. He had no whip; but when he wanted to start, he shook the hour-glass, and off they went. Then Melchior saw that the road where they were driving was very broad, and so filled with vehicles of all kinds that he could not see the hedges. The noise and crowd and dust were very great; and to Melchior all seemed delightfully exciting. There was every sort of conveyance, from the grandest coach to the humblest donkey-cart; and they seemed to have enough to do to escape being run over. Among all the gay people there were many whom he knew; and a very nice thing it seemed to be to drive among all the grandees, and to show his handsome face at the window, and bow and smile to his acquaintance. Then it appeared to be the fashion to wrap one’s self in a tiger-skin rug, and to look at life through an opera-glass, and old Time had kindly put one of each into the coach.